The nonpartisan James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy think tank at Rice University turns 20 this fall and the Nov. 8 anniversary party will be all about powerful people, sparkling discussion and celebrity chefs.
But the next day, Nov. 9, is a party for the young people.
The main gala features a conversation with President George W. Bush, Secretary James A. Baker, III, Rice University President David Leebron, the institute’s founding director Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian and bold names like Bucky and Cynthia Allshouse, Bobby and Phoebe Tudor and John Eddie and Sheridan Williams.
The event will be a celebration of Secretary Baker’s role in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany in 1989.
But come Nov. 9, it’s the president’s daughter Jenna Bush Hager and hubby Henry Hager who take center stage as honorary co-chairs of the Club Berlin event.
The event will be a celebration of Secretary Baker’s role in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany in 1989. And it will feature New York-based DJ KISS on the turntables and bites from some of Houston’s top chefs. Bryan Caswell of Reef will create a delicious reef caviar bar. Philip Speer of Uchi will design a world-class dessert bar. Ronny Killen of Killen’s Steakhouse in Pearland will helm a charcuterie bar. Grey Goose will provide a martini bar and CÔTÉ OR will run a champagne bar.
Who could ask for more?
Created in 1993 and named for James A. Baker, III, former secretary of state and secretary of the treasury, the Baker Institute has 56 fellows and scholars who are experts from academia, government and industry — most hold a Ph.D. in their field and have extensive on-the-ground experience in the real world. Their research is published in policy papers and scholarly journals — and given to government policy makers and journalists around the world. For example, Djerejian, former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Israel, has been interviewed by international media outlets on dozens of occasions for insight into the Syrian civil war. Political science fellow Mark Jones, in another media example, spoke to national and international press for 10 straight hours during Texas state senator Wendy Davis’ marathon filibuster in June.
Today the institute is ranked 13th among university think tanks worldwide, 21st among all United States think tanks and sixth among energy research programs worldwide.
The institute has an Associate Roundtable for people between the ages of 21 and 45 who are passionate about public policy. Current Associate Roundtable members will receive two complimentary tickets to Club Berlin. For more details, visit the Associate Roundtable page or contact Jessalyn Giacona at 713.348.5624 or email jg45@rice.edu.
But anyone can join the fun for a $100 ticket you can purchase here.
And you really don’t want to miss the fun.
Did we mention that the event co-chairs are Kristen and Lee Nix, Cody Sutton and Molly Reese Ward? Or that Caswell’s caviar bar will include blinis with crème fraiche and chives, caviar; shrimp shots with fresh cucumber, avocado and horseradish; blue crab claws with sriracha remoulade and kinilaw ceviche spoons?
Plus, chef Killen will offer pulled pork sliders and German potato salad while Speer will serve up such mouth-watering desserts as pumpkin mousse with chai tea spice, chocolate panna cotta, Whiteout snoballs, and Nitro S’mores “Pops” with an interactive chef demonstration. The signature cocktail will be Grey Goose’s Baker Wall Breaker.
"Club Berlin will be one of the most dynamic young professional parties in Houston this year," Kristen Nix says. "The combination of a world-class DJ, unique digital art, award-winning menu and punk chic attire truly make it stand out in the Houston social scene."
Come, learn about the think tank, dance, drink and dine.
Sounds like more fun than a cabaret, old chum.
One night only, Club Berlin will be held on Nov. 9 to benefit Rice University's Baker Institute and celebrate the role of James A. Baker, III, in the fall of the Berlin Wall. Honorary event chairs Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hager will be in attendance. Event co-chairs are Kristen and Lee Nix, Cody Sutton and Molly Reese Ward.
